Born in 1935, Stanisław Fiszer (Jr) comes from a family with a tradition of architecture – his father was the architect Stanisław Fiszer (1898–1944). Before Fiszer junior gained recognition in Poland as an architect and urban planner following the establishment of his practice, Fiszer Atelier 41, in Warsaw – which was responsible, amongst other things, for the regeneration of the Kubicki Arcades – he worked in Cambodia, the Ivory Coast and France.

After graduating from Gdańsk University of Technology between 1953 and 1959 and completing a brief internship in Warsaw, in 1962 he emigrated to the capital of Cambodia – Phnom Penh, where, from 1963 to 1964, he worked as an architect and town planner for the local branch of the Ministry of Public Works’ Design Office.

In the years that followed, he gained experience whilst working with the Paris-based firm Ducharme Minost, where he served as an assistant to Michel Écochard (1905–1985), which at the time was focusing on architectural projects in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Paris. Stanisław Fiszer (Jr.) established his own architectural practice in the 1970s.

In 1972, he founded the Fiszer architectural practice in Paris, and in 1996 he established its Warsaw branch under the name Fiszer Atelier 41. Between 1972 and 2000, he lectured at the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Nancy. Stanisław Fiszer (Jr.) is one of the most highly honoured Polish architects.

He has been honoured, amongst other things, with a nomination for the Grand prix d’architecture (1992), the Joseph-Michel Le Soufaché Academy of Architecture Medal (1993), and the First Class State Award of the Republic of Poland for outstanding creative achievements in the field of architecture (2001). Interestingly, his wife, daughter and son are also practising architects.

Eclecticism as practised by Stanisław Fiszer

In his architectural practice, Stanisław Fiszer (Jr) primarily undertakes public commissions. His projects, described as eclectic, combine elements of classicism, brutalism and postmodernism. Manifestations of this latter style can be seen, for example, in the designs for the school in Régalles (1980), the Direction Départementale des Territoires de la Meuse building in Bar-le-Duc (1979–1983), as well as the Theatre and Media Centre in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (1994), which are characterised by monumental divisions and quasi-scenographic solutions.

In his work, Fiszer attaches great importance to natural acoustics and light, sustainability and the choice of materials, in line with contemporary design trends. Fiszer approaches façades in what he himself describes as a ‘classical’ manner – he varies flat surfaces through the geometry of cornices and divisions, and often combines diverse materials such as clinker, precast concrete, in-situ concrete, sandblasted or polished concrete, glass and metals – including aluminium alloys – to introduce ‘industrial’ accents. This distinctive ‘patchwork’ is created by composing an image whose elements are far removed from the rationalism of the modernists, who confined themselves to forms with strictly defined functions.

In interiors, he most frequently uses raw (French: ‘brut’) concrete. Seeking to achieve a variety of light and shadow and textural contrast on façades, he readily incorporates lattice motifs, as in the case of the façade of the National Archives Reception and Research Centre (C.A.R.A.N.), where this solution, designed by Pierre Gauche, constitutes the dominant element of the building’s aesthetic. Among the sources of inspiration for his practice, Fiszer cites, amongst others, the work of Carlo Scarpa (1906–1978), an amateur architect, and Jože Plečnik (1872–1957), a Slovenian classic of eclecticism.

Selected projects in France

1. 1976–1978 ‘La Tour d’Aleron’ School, 8+3 classrooms and sports facilities in Combs-la-Ville
2. 1980 HLM housing estates, Sénart
3. 1980 Les Bords du Canal housing estate , Savigny-le-Temple
4. 1980 School in Régalles, 10+4 classrooms, Sénart
5. 1982 ‘La Lanterne’ nursery and primary school, 10+6 classrooms in Les Epinettes, Evry
6. 1983 ‘Le Balory’ School, 5+2 classrooms and sports facilities, Nandy, Sénart
7. 1983 Headquarters building of the Direction Départementale des Territoires de la Meuse, Bar-le-Duc, France (in collaboration with Christian François and Guy Priester)
8. 1983 Swimming pool in Jouy-le-Moutier (in collaboration with Messrs Ruols and Robert)
9. 1986 Sainte-Marie des Peuples Church, 5, rue du Cloître, Cergy (with Witold Zandfos, b. 1938)
10. 1986 Balory School, rue des Pêcheurs, Nandy
11. 1987 Sénart Urban Community Hotel (now the Social Services Unit), Lieusaint
12. 1988 Centre for Studies and Research at the National Archives (C.A.R.A.N.), Paris
13. 1990 The André Group’s headquarters (now the headquarters of Vivarte), Paris
14. 1993 Theatre and Media Library, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
15. 1993 Léonard de Vinci Sixth Form College, Monistrol-sur-Loire
16. 1995 NOVOTEL Hotel, Place Chalon-Gare de Lyon, Paris
17. 1996 Housing estate at 18 Place Henri Fresnay, Paris
18. 1996 Residential development at 132–134, avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris
19. 1996 CPAM office block, Paris
20. 1997 Façade of the Louis Vuitton/Moët Hennessy headquarters, Paris
21. 1997 Façade of the Japanese Embassy, 7 Avenue Hoche, Paris (in collaboration with Jacques-Henri Riedberger)
22. 2000 The new Chevalley National Thermal Baths, Aix-les-Bains (in collaboration with Jean-Yves Le Mesle)
23. 2000 Hall at the Eurythmie conference and entertainment centre, Montauban
24. 2002 Hôtel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe, Paris
25. 2004 Hôtel Parc Monceau, Paris
26. 2005 Music Conservatoire and Media Centre, Dreux
27. 2008 Sports Centre, St Maurice
28. 2010 ZAC Nozal Chaudron housing estate and shopping centre – Îlot 21, Saint-Denis
29. 2011 Le Cézanne office block, Saint-Denis